Volunteers, who have joined the Iraqi security forces to fight against the predominantly Sunni militants from the radical Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) who have taken over Mosul and other northern provinces, participate in a training session in the holy city of Najaf, on June 18. Iraq has asked the US for air support in countering Sunni rebels, the top US general said on Wednesday, after the militants seized major cities in a lightning advance that has routed the Shi'ite-led government's army. Reuters/Alaa Al-Marjani